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Once again, it's early morning. Same as the past few lessons had been, though the light was significantly fainter what with the winter months and all. So rolling out of bed might have been harder, eating might have been slower and venturing to the classroom might have been more effort than it seemed worth. Especially when the classroom was divided right down the middle with a cold, stone grey wall. A single wooden door had been placed right in it's center. Of all the things, this hardly could have looked like anything exciting or worth an early morning rise, it was just that type of wall.
What perhaps saved the classroom were two odd things. The first, a large, round bowl-type structure right beside the bowl, filled with the queerest colored water. It was a pale blue, and reflected light as if it was coming from the bottom of the bowl. Sabel stood close by the bowl, looking rather serious, as a Defense Professor might.
The second odd thing, or perhaps more remarkable, was that if one looked up they would find that the ceiling seemed like it was moving. If one looked closer, they would be able to discern that the movement was not the brick or the boards, but snitches. Hundreds of them, milling above, some zipping back and forth among the others.
There are however, no brooms or ladders or really, anything that looked like it could fly.
Just a bowl and a serious looking Professor.
There are however, benches available for sitting if one is tired of the floor.
--------------------- Class Progression:
Question 1:How can you increase your chances of hitting your target?
------------------------ OOC: Welcome one and all! Please feel free to post here doing as instructed. Mild chatter is allowed, but please keep it to a minimum.
The lesson will properly start sometime in the afternoon of October 31 (GMT -6). You can still post in the lesson after this time, even if you haven't posted arriving, but please do not post arriving after this time. Late comers will be penalized.
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The questions that were raised as the lesson began, were very good ones. But already, a lot of the answers that came to mind were already spoken. Immobulus, incarcerous, petrificus totalum, stupefy.... ..... all sound options as far as he was concerned.
Nothing else jumped out at him as being as good an alternative to the spells already mentioned, though there were other ways. Hand raised, Zeke offered his two nuts. "Like what some of the others have touched on, slowing the target would increase your chance of hitting it, so Aresto Momentum could help in that way, or if you're lucky and get a decent shot off, a trip jinx could buy you more time and afford you better aim."
Still peering into the bowl, Daxton gave a vague nod of his head, but did not move straight away. The contents of the bowl, though nothing too telling at face value, were intriguing, and he had been listening to that other student who had guessed correctly that this was a pensieve. He had read about those, and the knowledge that this was one of them made him quite unwilling to step away again, even though he had no desire to actually use one.
But he did step away, once he had had a couple more moments to appreciate the bowl and its contents. Daxton glanced again at Dakest, then at the door, then up at the snitches above all their heads, and once more at the bowl before he did go and find himself a place to sit cross-legged on the floor that was far enough from anyone else that his level of discomfort was minimised.
Resting his elbow on his knee and propping up his head with his hand, Daxton remained as silent as he invariably was as the last of the students arrived, and listened to Dakest's introduction to the lesson. He wrote none of it down in the notebook he had, of course, brought along, as it was all easy enough to remember. Even when the question was asked, Daxton made to move to put pen to paper, either for himself or to provide an answer to the professor.
He did think about it though, of course he did. A lot of people had mentioned spells to cast directly at someone, but was the point of the question not addressing the difficulty of casting at your target in the first place? Daxton thought that perhaps it was not so much about directly affecting the target, not at first, but their environment. Distractions, obstructions, things like that.
At some point, Daxton's attentions had been captured by the snitches up above, and he lowered his gaze again to the floor beneath Dakest's feet. That seemed like a reasonable technique. Get the floor, maybe make it slippery, so the target fell. Or sticky, so they could not move. The floor was a much bigger target, and it did not tend to move, at least in the way that a human target would. Depending on the power behind the spell, you could get a sizeable section of floor too.
But he did not supply his answer. Only gave the floor that calculating stare, before redirecting it to Dakest, all the while tuned in to everyone else's answers, their chosen techniques, what they would do in that situation, committing it all to memory.
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
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Benzi was here too, having slipped in behind some other kid and taking his now customary spot in the classroom, the back. Dakest always made sure his voice could be heard and this way Benzi could see everything that was happening in the class. It was good both Prefect-wise, and because he always felt much better when he had a wall behind his back.
Um. Why was Daxton Prince barefoot?
He'd have a chat with him later. Or as much of a chat one could have with a kid who never spoke. Perhaps he could get Suri to do it.
Anyways. The seventeen year old was curious what the get up of the classroom had to do with aim - did he want to make the snitches target practice? because that was going to be hard, even for him - and took his time to answer, thinking and listening first. "Well, naturally I'd aim for the largest surface area the target has... and if I really can't hit the target then I'd change the surrounding environment to make it easier for myself to hit, making it difficult for the target to dodge or move too much," he nodded, thinking back to his practicing and what he usually applied. That was the general goal when he was trying to hit a moving target. Benzi was reluctant to give specific examples mainly because he would be dueling with some of the people in the classroom and he didn't want to give them ideas.
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yeah I like tеlling stories________________________
but I don't have to write them in ink_____ _____________I could still change the end
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YAAAWN.
Owen was here all alooooooong. Was just silent because too early and he didn't really have that much energy due to not being able to eat enough breakfast because once again, too early. ANYWAY... he was here and sitting on one of the benches. Professor Dakest looked stern as he mostly did, there was a bowl, and there were snitches above them. For what, Owen entirely had no idea. He was just listening and trying not to yawn again.
*yawn*
...Well, that was a fail. He should probably participate in class so he would be more awake.
He totally agreed to what the Professor referred to as the most frustrating part of casting spells. Not being able to cast it properly. Check. Not hitting the target. Check. He experienced those first hand with his duel with Phillip. Speaking of, "As what the others said, Professor sir, you could immobilize the target. Like using the Leg-Locker Curse." Phillip did a good job immobilizing him with that spell.
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Hady couldn't help but take notice to the fact that most of her peers had chosen to sit on the benches. Not that she could blame them really it was all about where one felt most comfortable. As for her sometimes NOT being comfortable helped out. A little discomfort kept her alert and ready to go.
Tucking her knees to her chest she settled her arms lightly around her legs so she was hugging them and watched Professor Dakest as he moved about. Her eyes followed not only him but the snitch as well which she thought was rather curious given the very first question of the lesson that was just asked. This most likely had something to do with the snitches and what they would be doing today.
"You could always try using Repello, Professor. If anything it might at least give you enough time to get better placement for a more effective spell," she replied as she raised her hand into the air. Even if no harm was done to the target chances were it could in the very least keep whatever the target was away from you until you had better aim at it.
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Bread!
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Oh, class was beginning.
Ben did his best to perk up and pay attention to what was being said as Dakest spoke up and started the discussion. Hmm...moving targets and how to deal with them. It certainly was a predicament to deal with but expected since a dark wizard or dangerous creature wasn't about to stand stock still and just allow you to shoot it with spells to take it down. No they'd be in your face or at least around you...just like the snitch that came down an fluttered by the lot of them.
He absently swatted it away as it got to close to him, mildly distracting him from answering. Though even still, as Benny listened as his classmates responded, he couldn't help but notice something missing. They all appeared to be taking about still hitting targets with spells to remedy the problem. Wasn't that going to be just as problematic.
"How about narrowing the area to which they can go, Professor," he answered after raising his hand. "Work on the environment until they can't readily escape your personal attack." Boxing one into a corner sounded about right.
Angel raised her hand and smiled at the Professor most the answers she would have given had gone already so now she was just guessing because she wanted to be unique in her answering. "Well there's always the spell that enlarges objects, that way it will be so big that you couldn't miss the target." That was the best thing to do, though saying that if they were fighting back that might not be a good idea, but oh well she had said it now.
Was he not going to explain all the weird stuff in the classroom? Lame. Norah tucked the curly chunk of hair behind her ear and pulled out her parchment and quill so she could take notes on whatever was going on. Not that she KNEW what was going on because SOMEBODY hadn't taken the time to EXPLAIN. She gave Professor Dakest a questioning look, before putting a hand in the air. Everybody else was saying spells, but who said that spell would hit the target either? Maybe she was just rubbish at aiming, but the other answers weren't making loads to sense to her. Or maybe the question wasn't making sense. Or maybe she was too tired for anything to make sense. Who knew, really. She sure didn't. "This isn't a spell, but if your target is running away or something you could cast your spells where they're going to be in a few steps instead of where they are. Y'know, so by the time the spell is there they haven't gotten past it." THAT would need some good aim too, but maybe Professor Dakest could teach her that part.
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Another yawn escaped Nells mouth. She gave a half yawn half grin to Phillip as he made his way over to her. Nells had seen the benches but she would have open range than be squished in between people on benches. She was a firstie after all and quite little.
"Hey.. " She said another yawn escaping as she smiled at Phillip. She was grateful he plopped beside her because now... Pillow. Leaning into him and placing her head on his shoulder, she might just fall asleep now.
But wait,
Professor Dakest was speaking now.
Noelle listened. She didn't have a problem listening since eye candy was speaking, even when she was too tired to function. It was early okay? Nells kept her head on Phillips shoulder, as long as her let her, and listened as other on the room started giving answers. She supposed she could give one. "The Leg- Locker curse would be a good one professor, I think." She had read up on it... Ahem... Or rather skimmed over it during some reading.
Noelle figured it might come in handy one day, which is why she had remembered it.
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You is kind You is smart You is IMPORTANT Farah Dubey Seventh Year Hufflepuff
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
A bit of a smile from a serious looking Professor was always good. Adi thought he could safely assume that it was because of his energetic attitude. Mhmm, it sure was a possibility.
Had he been keeping an eye out for Benny? Maybe. No, strike that. Not maybe but definitely. The sight of his other half but him in an even better mood. "Hi!'' The Hufflepuff grinned. Grinning was one thing the dragon was not doing and he knew why. Cold and early morning classes were not really Benny's thing. "Cheer up. I'm here so I should make up for all the things you don't like.'' Ehehehe.
...................
Annnd the start of the class!
The Puff turned his attention to the man at the front of the room. Hmmm. Yep, hitting the target was yet something else he had to worry about whenever doing spell work. The snitch buzzed by his boyfriend and then toward Adi who playfully tried to grab it but it zoomed out of his way and then in the direction of the next student.
Onto the question though!
Would you look at that? Benny had stolen his idea! Adi had been eyeing the wall and was about to raise his hand to say something similar but he had been beaten. Get out of his head, Benny! LOL. Um... so could he think of anything else now? Think, think, think! Oh! He knew! Up went Adi's left hand.
"A spell like Avis could be used to conjure birds and then Oppugno could be used to attack target so they'd be too distracted by the attack to do much else. You'd be controlling the birds so I reckon it would be easier to attack a moving target rather than just trying multiple attacks. And once that's done, other spells could be used to defeat said target.'' Did Dakest see where he was going with this?
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They weren't going to have to look into the bowl, right? Because the one time Zander Adair was forced to do so was during his detention back in Fifth Year. And he didn't actually know how they worked, other than the fact that he had to rewatch the worse thing he had ever experienced and quite frankly, he wasn't ready to do it again. So although the rest of the classroom was starting to fill up with students and there were more curious things than just the bowl... Zander's gaze continued to stay still on the bowl beside his Professor. Knowing clearly which students had used one before, and which hadn't. Most if not all, hadn't. It was an easy observation to make and Zander wasn't even good at observations most of the time.
He chose not to answer the first question, though, deciding that he agreed with all the mentioned spells. He like Aresto Momentum especially. Nodding.
But he didn't want to sit around and answer questions all day. He wanted to know what they were using all the stuff in the room for. He was too curious to want to sit still. PROFESSOR, PLEASE?
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Lemon!
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Sitting, right. Apparently the lesson would not be able to go on if he was standing in front of the door. Fine. Olly finally tore his gaze away from the door and looked around for an available seat. He took the one closest to the door, so he could still keep an eye on it from the corner of his eye. But he could pay attention until the door actually became important.
The first question was an easy one. One he could have answered. But right as he was about to raise his hand, Charlotte Kettleburn was the first to answer. And her answer was a good one. In fact, it was what Olly would have said. But he didn't mind. He just lowered his hand. Good answer, Charlotte Kettleburn.
Jet sat quietly as her classrooms gave their answers as she thought of her own. She would shake her head almost imperceptibly when she didn't agree with it, which this time was most of the time.
Most of the answers had been spells, which obviously had to hit the target to work. In order to slow the target down, you would have to hit it with a spell.
Until the Hufflepuff prefect said what Jet herself was thinking. The Slytherin then nodded in agreement and felt like she didn't have to add anything else. That was exactly what her answer would be.
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AT THE HOGWARTS YULE BALL, YOU'LL BE HANGING OUT WITH....__________________ Maybe you'll dance, scour the buffet, or end up gossiping talking amongst yourselves!
You're happy to go with the flow and see where the Yule Ball takes you!
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Hmm, what spell COULD you use to ensure that you hit your target? Good question, but Davie's brain wasn't all the way awake yet to come up with an original answer. The obvious answers had already been said, and all he could think of were some type of honing spell? Something that zoned in on your target?
He tilted his head back from his spot on the bench and looked up at all the snitches, clustered up there on the ceiling. Pretty to look at but he still hated their sport.
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yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
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Class was starting, but Paulina couldn't take her eyes off of one of the snitches as it zoomed around their heads before being sent off by Professor Dakest.
Now she had no choice but to listen to what he had to say.
Paulina wasn't complaining though, because this was pretty interesting stuff. Her answer would have been immobilizing the target, but looked like some of her fellow classmates had beaten her to it. Instead of repeating the answer yet AGAIN, she satisfied herself with nodding. Immobilizing was a good thing.
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Was Professor Dakest joking? Everyone had experienced that? Rooney didn't believe that half of the students in here had had a spell not hit their intended target. He had, but he was CERTAIN that the older students hadn't. They didn't seem to be at all worried about anything with their wand, or so he thought they did. That was the impression he got from their wand work. Mucho questionable. Moooooooooving on, though, he raised his hand and offered his own answer. "Carpe Retractum? Couldn't you just tie their legs together and pull them to the ground and then they'd at least be where you wanted them to be?" It was the route he thought that he would take if he needed to.
Once upon a time, Sophie Brown hadn't minded the coldness that came with winter at all. In fact, she'd loved it, just as much as she loved summer. It was a nice change, kept her on her toes, and it was fun to bundle up and practice warming charms and traction charms for the buttom of her shoes when she went for her morning runs. She still felt that way sometimes, but other times... the freezing cold reminded her of that one potions class. THE potions class, the one that still gave her the occasional nightmare. Today was one of those days when she'd started her trek through the castle toward the classroom, and to combat this sinking feeling, she'd cast the insulation charm on the walls as she went to try to make the castle warmer. Just helping everyone out, really.
She had continued this even when she entered, her wand out as she'd cast the insulation charm at the door, then she had almost moved to do it for the rest of the classroom when she saw the state of the classroom. The first thing she had noticed was the movement of the snitches up above, then the wall, then the bowl beside Dakest in that order. None of it had really fazed her all that much - even though this was defense class, she'd never felt too alarmed upon stepping inside the classroom. Even if Dakest would have tried to test their constant vigilance and throw a danger at them the moment they entered, Soph had her wand in her hand anyway and was always certain she could take whatever came her way. Confidence, she had it, and when there was no present danger, Soph had stepped out of the doorway and had taken a moment to absorb the three prominent new factors of the classroom today.
Curious, all of it was. Very curious. Especially the bowl over there. Was that a...?
Hmmmmm.
Soph had given Dakest her usual customary, slightly smug greeting - the kind where she greeted him like they had some sort of inside joke going on when really she was just radiating with delight to be in his class and knew he was obviously happy to see her, too - Soph had moved over and chosen to stand near Eves. Standing was always better, unless the professor instructed them to sit, and before long, the professor had started class. She'd gotten there just in the nick of time. Whew.
A rogue snitch made its way down to the class, and Soph watched it attentively, waiting for it to come nearer to her - if it came close enough, she was TOTALLY going to try to catch it - but the professor waved it off and sent it back upward. Laaame, Sabel. His question was an interesting one, though, and the Ravenclaw listened to the answers of a few others before raising a hand. "The Impediment Jinx is another one to slow a target, professor. Impedimenta will slow or freeze a target temporarily, long 'nuff for you to get in some more well-placed shots. That still kinda leaves you with the problem of hitting the target with the spell in the first place, but if y'do, you're buying yourself more time. I'd say it's not quite as useful as Immobulus, maybe, but still worth mentioning, 'cause the wand movement for Immobulus is a little more complex, kinda like a wonky full triangle shape whereas Impedimenta is a quick horizontal line like this." She demonstrated, since her wand was still out. "So I guess in a crisis sorta situation or a situation where y'gotta act quicker, the split second it takes to do the Impedimenta wand movement is quicker than doing the Immobulus one, so sometimes y'gotta just gauge factors like that, too. A millisecond can make all the difference when your life is on the line, y'know? Y'gotta take all factors into account with each 'n every situation you're in." You had to think quickly on your feet if you didn't want to die.
Dakest already asked a question. Dante felt like he had just sat down and was just watching the random snitch make its way through the classroom. He probably should have been paying attention better. But at this point he did not care.
"You can try and use Levicorpus"
THough there is still a chance they dodge, hit you with a jinx first. Still it was an answer.
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-------------------------------------Be a pineapple: Stand tall,
-----------------------------------------wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside.
urine trouble | Pat's Strong Confident Other Half | Pees Like a Champion Unicorn Racehorse
No, Phillip did NOT have a problem with Noelle resting her head on his shoulder. It was comfortable, actually, and he was mentally grateful that her head wasn't, you know, HEAVY. BUT, if she DID fall asleep on him, he might have to poke her awake before she made HIM feel sleepier than he was. It just wasn't fair, you know?
Unless they both took naps in the class. He was MORE than okay with some extra naptime.
The first question? Yes, Dakest, we understand EXACTLY what you mean. It was F R U S T R A T I N G when you aimed your spell one way but it decided to do something else entirely. FRUSTRATING. And it had happened during the duel, but to Owen and not him. Owen, who went on to mention a spell HE used against him.
#awkward
Did Phillip have an answer for Dakest? No. His attention was on that one snitch -- THERE WERE SNITCHES UP BY THE CEILING -- that had been flying lower. Look at it GO!
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It was a good question. One that Evie had though of multiple times as she prepared for dueling club. Many good answers had already been given, but they still held the same problem. The spells they cast would still have to have good aim to hit their target, which was the problem in the first case. As she formed an answer in her head, the snitches flying above their heads were near forgotten in her mind. She was focused completely on dueling club.
"Distractions help," Evie said after raising her hand. "You can use magic to alter the environment or the area around you to cause your opponent to get distracted. People are slower when they're distracted, and thus easier to hit with spells." That was her own personal favorite method of attack, in case Dakest hadn't noticed in her last duel.
Chloe understood frustration with magic on a deeply personal, emotional level. Glamour spells were very, very hard and with hair as unmanageable as her own not being able to execute them properly was annoying. She picked at her hair self consciously as the Professor spoke. When he asked the class the first question she was still absorbed in her hair, not because she wasn't paying attention but because it was an anxious tick, and didn't feel confident enough to answer.
She really didn't know the answer. Not at eleven. But she studiously wrote down every answer that her classmates threw out.
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No, wait. How was anyone supposed to pay attention when the water was SO pretty and the snitches were glittering and WHAT IF THEY HAD TO FLY? Merlin, that would be nerve-wracking. All the distractions had to be the reason that people were saying the most nonsensical things. Dot inched her way around to stand nearer to the professor so he'd look her way and give her the what-up head nod.
It was sorta like they were friendly when he did that, and she liked to believe she was important to her professors since they were all so important to her.
"The... answers where people want to cast a spell to slow down a target in order to cast a spell don't make much sense, sir. On account of... if I can't hit it with my intended spell, how can I hit it with another spell to make it slow down? That's faulty loopy logic stuffs. I think maybe figuring out where to cast ahead of your goal is helpful. Gotta do some strategic thinking."
Question time already? She had an answer for that question. She did. But her brain was working slower than usual, probably because its still half asleep. Why did Dakest liked to have a lesson in early morning anyway? And beside her classmate already said some good answers and someone already mention using Levicorpus. So there's no need to repeat it again, yeah?
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All of the love for tomorrow______________________________________________ I know we're gonna be stronger than you'll ever known
Why was everyone so yawny? This was a good day! They were in DADA! YEAH!
"Hi Professor S--DAKEST!" Getting there.
OH! SHE KNEW AN ANSWER!
Char stuck her hand up eagerly. "You could use immobulus!" She was working on that one because of the whomping willow.
She had plans for that tree. It was a family thing.
Yes...he had seen her. No need to yell, flail or otherwise fall off the bench.
"Immobulus is a good way to gain the advantage, and to keep your opponent from moving too drastically on you. Once you can hit the target with it, the rest of your spells should find home easily."
SPOILER!!: Henric
Quote:
Originally Posted by Symphora
Henric raised his hand,"We can always try to bind the target using the Incarcerous spell so they won't try to get away?" He offered. He used this spell before during the ancromantula attack last year. It did help to hold the target down only for just a moment.
His attention turned to Henric, his mouth working slowly at the suggestion before any sound came from it. "True enough, but what would be the point of casting on someone who's already bound and subdued."
Just a bit of food for thought.
SPOILER!!: Ava
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandomRaven
What method or spell could you use, to ensure that you have a better chance of hitting your target?
Hmmm.....
The young lioness thought for a while. Then she raised her hand to answer the question. "I agree with Charlotte to use the freezing charm, and also I think full body-bind curse also work." She said.
And there was another one. Burton got a nod as well. "The full body-bind curse is another way to secure a definite advantage. If you manage to hit your target though." If....
SPOILER!!: Reagan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Govoni
Only after settling herself had Reagan suddenly heard the quiet rustling from up above. Not that she could clearly make out whatever was causing the sounds...See, Rea didn't follow Quidditch and even when she did glimpse SOMETHING glittering and fluttery, she still didn't make the connection.
Hmmmm.
Professor Dakest's first question gave a bit of insight, however. Was this going to be similar to the Centaur seminar? With targets...and target practice?
"Not that I would use this spell since I view it as an extreme measure...but the Stunning Charm, or Stupefy, could also work, professor." Reagan had never personally been stunned, but she could imagine it would cause the stunnee to have a massive headache upon waking, if it was used on a person.
Usage on animals? UTTERLY UNTHINKABLE.
Sabel's eyebrow went up at hearing the next suggestion. It wasn't so different from the others, save for the way in which it was worded. The way which personal preference had a play in it. "While it may seem a bit shocking at first, Ms. Penrose, the stunning charm is extremely useful and can save you in a bind."
His eyebrow went up a bit further. "If you are being attacked, your opponent full well deserves the blow that's coming to them. Best to make it efficient and purposeful, of which the stunning charm is both."
SPOILER!!: Zeke
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeraRaising
The questions that were raised as the lesson began, were very good ones. But already, a lot of the answers that came to mind were already spoken. Immobulus, incarcerous, petrificus totalum, stupefy.... ..... all sound options as far as he was concerned.
Nothing else jumped out at him as being as good an alternative to the spells already mentioned, though there were other ways. Hand raised, Zeke offered his two nuts. "Like what some of the others have touched on, slowing the target would increase your chance of hitting it, so Aresto Momentum could help in that way, or if you're lucky and get a decent shot off, a trip jinx could buy you more time and afford you better aim."
His gaze lingered on Penrose for a moment longer before his attention was commanded over to Browne. He nodded once, then twice. "Both good points, Mr. Browne. Of especial note though, is your comment of getting off a good shot. Of which both spells would require such a feat."
SPOILER!!: Owen
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazzie
YAAAWN.
Owen was here all alooooooong. Was just silent because too early and he didn't really have that much energy due to not being able to eat enough breakfast because once again, too early. ANYWAY... he was here and sitting on one of the benches. Professor Dakest looked stern as he mostly did, there was a bowl, and there were snitches above them. For what, Owen entirely had no idea. He was just listening and trying not to yawn again.
*yawn*
...Well, that was a fail. He should probably participate in class so he would be more awake.
He totally agreed to what the Professor referred to as the most frustrating part of casting spells. Not being able to cast it properly. Check. Not hitting the target. Check. He experienced those first hand with his duel with Phillip. Speaking of, "As what the others said, Professor sir, you could immobilize the target. Like using the Leg-Locker Curse." Phillip did a good job immobilizing him with that spell.
"The leg-locker curse is effective at halting the movement of your target." That much was true. Couldn't well say no to that. "But you have to make sure you hit your target first, before it can be effective."
And therein was the issue of their question.
SPOILER!!: Noelle
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChanceCoeur
Another yawn escaped Nells mouth. She gave a half yawn half grin to Phillip as he made his way over to her. Nells had seen the benches but she would have open range than be squished in between people on benches. She was a firstie after all and quite little.
"Hey.. " She said another yawn escaping as she smiled at Phillip. She was grateful he plopped beside her because now... Pillow. Leaning into him and placing her head on his shoulder, she might just fall asleep now.
But wait,
Professor Dakest was speaking now.
Noelle listened. She didn't have a problem listening since eye candy was speaking, even when she was too tired to function. It was early okay? Nells kept her head on Phillips shoulder, as long as her let her, and listened as other on the room started giving answers. She supposed she could give one. "The Leg- Locker curse would be a good one professor, I think." She had read up on it... Ahem... Or rather skimmed over it during some reading.
Noelle figured it might come in handy one day, which is why she had remembered it.
Sabel's attention continued to drift, and snagged on a shoulder-hogger. His eyes narrowed slightly, but not too much because the young girl was formulating an answer. "Providing you can hit your target. But it would seem that sleep deprivation and a comfortable shoulder might work just as well." Cue eyebrow arch of expectation. "If you expect to be comfortable in my class, Ms. Summers, you are going to be sorely disappointed."
SPOILER!!: Rooney
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shanners
Was Professor Dakest joking? Everyone had experienced that? Rooney didn't believe that half of the students in here had had a spell not hit their intended target. He had, but he was CERTAIN that the older students hadn't. They didn't seem to be at all worried about anything with their wand, or so he thought they did. That was the impression he got from their wand work. Mucho questionable. Moooooooooving on, though, he raised his hand and offered his own answer. "Carpe Retractum? Couldn't you just tie their legs together and pull them to the ground and then they'd at least be where you wanted them to be?" It was the route he thought that he would take if he needed to.
But that was just him.
Ah and here was a new-old suggestion. Sabel nodded, albeit slowly. "You could, though you'd have to mind your footing in the off-chance your target knows how to use their weight against you." Always something to mind. "That, and you'd have to have good aim to hit them, especially their legs."
Which, was the question they were looking for. How did one get such success with aim?
SPOILER!!: Sophie
Quote:
Originally Posted by feeheeheeny
Once upon a time, Sophie Brown hadn't minded the coldness that came with winter at all. In fact, she'd loved it, just as much as she loved summer. It was a nice change, kept her on her toes, and it was fun to bundle up and practice warming charms and traction charms for the buttom of her shoes when she went for her morning runs. She still felt that way sometimes, but other times... the freezing cold reminded her of that one potions class. THE potions class, the one that still gave her the occasional nightmare. Today was one of those days when she'd started her trek through the castle toward the classroom, and to combat this sinking feeling, she'd cast the insulation charm on the walls as she went to try to make the castle warmer. Just helping everyone out, really.
She had continued this even when she entered, her wand out as she'd cast the insulation charm at the door, then she had almost moved to do it for the rest of the classroom when she saw the state of the classroom. The first thing she had noticed was the movement of the snitches up above, then the wall, then the bowl beside Dakest in that order. None of it had really fazed her all that much - even though this was defense class, she'd never felt too alarmed upon stepping inside the classroom. Even if Dakest would have tried to test their constant vigilance and throw a danger at them the moment they entered, Soph had her wand in her hand anyway and was always certain she could take whatever came her way. Confidence, she had it, and when there was no present danger, Soph had stepped out of the doorway and had taken a moment to absorb the three prominent new factors of the classroom today.
Curious, all of it was. Very curious. Especially the bowl over there. Was that a...?
Hmmmmm.
Soph had given Dakest her usual customary, slightly smug greeting - the kind where she greeted him like they had some sort of inside joke going on when really she was just radiating with delight to be in his class and knew he was obviously happy to see her, too - Soph had moved over and chosen to stand near Eves. Standing was always better, unless the professor instructed them to sit, and before long, the professor had started class. She'd gotten there just in the nick of time. Whew.
A rogue snitch made its way down to the class, and Soph watched it attentively, waiting for it to come nearer to her - if it came close enough, she was TOTALLY going to try to catch it - but the professor waved it off and sent it back upward. Laaame, Sabel. His question was an interesting one, though, and the Ravenclaw listened to the answers of a few others before raising a hand. "The Impediment Jinx is another one to slow a target, professor. Impedimenta will slow or freeze a target temporarily, long 'nuff for you to get in some more well-placed shots. That still kinda leaves you with the problem of hitting the target with the spell in the first place, but if y'do, you're buying yourself more time. I'd say it's not quite as useful as Immobulus, maybe, but still worth mentioning, 'cause the wand movement for Immobulus is a little more complex, kinda like a wonky full triangle shape whereas Impedimenta is a quick horizontal line like this." She demonstrated, since her wand was still out. "So I guess in a crisis sorta situation or a situation where y'gotta act quicker, the split second it takes to do the Impedimenta wand movement is quicker than doing the Immobulus one, so sometimes y'gotta just gauge factors like that, too. A millisecond can make all the difference when your life is on the line, y'know? Y'gotta take all factors into account with each 'n every situation you're in." You had to think quickly on your feet if you didn't want to die.
Smug was usual between Brown and himself as of late. Except for today. Today Brown was greeted with the same serious expression that the rest of the class was greeted with. Today was not a day to be smug.
There wasn't even the hint of a small smile at her explanation, just a solemn nod. "A good an thorough explanation, and a good alternative option to immobilizing your opponent. But as you said, it still leaves the problem of hitting the target."
Therein was the rub.
SPOILER!!: Dante
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meizzner
Wait, what?
Dakest already asked a question. Dante felt like he had just sat down and was just watching the random snitch make its way through the classroom. He probably should have been paying attention better. But at this point he did not care.
"You can try and use Levicorpus"
THough there is still a chance they dodge, hit you with a jinx first. Still it was an answer.
Sabel's attention diverted to Barrington. The slow nod was back again. "Yes. That is effective in uprooting your opponent without the concern of using weight or position against one another. Still, how can you ensure that you hit your target in the first place?"
Text Cut: The Silent Ones
[spoiler=Daxton]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixir
Still peering into the bowl, Daxton gave a vague nod of his head, but did not move straight away. The contents of the bowl, though nothing too telling at face value, were intriguing, and he had been listening to that other student who had guessed correctly that this was a pensieve. He had read about those, and the knowledge that this was one of them made him quite unwilling to step away again, even though he had no desire to actually use one.
But he did step away, once he had had a couple more moments to appreciate the bowl and its contents. Daxton glanced again at Dakest, then at the door, then up at the snitches above all their heads, and once more at the bowl before he did go and find himself a place to sit cross-legged on the floor that was far enough from anyone else that his level of discomfort was minimised.
Resting his elbow on his knee and propping up his head with his hand, Daxton remained as silent as he invariably was as the last of the students arrived, and listened to Dakest's introduction to the lesson. He wrote none of it down in the notebook he had, of course, brought along, as it was all easy enough to remember. Even when the question was asked, Daxton made to move to put pen to paper, either for himself or to provide an answer to the professor.
He did think about it though, of course he did. A lot of people had mentioned spells to cast directly at someone, but was the point of the question not addressing the difficulty of casting at your target in the first place? Daxton thought that perhaps it was not so much about directly affecting the target, not at first, but their environment. Distractions, obstructions, things like that.
At some point, Daxton's attentions had been captured by the snitches up above, and he lowered his gaze again to the floor beneath Dakest's feet. That seemed like a reasonable technique. Get the floor, maybe make it slippery, so the target fell. Or sticky, so they could not move. The floor was a much bigger target, and it did not tend to move, at least in the way that a human target would. Depending on the power behind the spell, you could get a sizeable section of floor too.
But he did not supply his answer. Only gave the floor that calculating stare, before redirecting it to Dakest, all the while tuned in to everyone else's answers, their chosen techniques, what they would do in that situation, committing it all to memory.
[spoiler]
Sabel's gaze skimmed over and briefly lingered on Prince. It certainly looked like the kid was thinking and evaluating, but he wasn't seeing any written verdict from the boy. So, for all he knew, Prince might have simply been given over to a really good daydream. So long as there wasn't any absent drooling coming from him, Sabel could tolerate it. The activity would be lesson enough for a lack of interest or attention.
SPOILER!!: Jet
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hey Ju
Jet sat quietly as her classrooms gave their answers as she thought of her own. She would shake her head almost imperceptibly when she didn't agree with it, which this time was most of the time.
Most of the answers had been spells, which obviously had to hit the target to work. In order to slow the target down, you would have to hit it with a spell.
Until the Hufflepuff prefect said what Jet herself was thinking. The Slytherin then nodded in agreement and felt like she didn't have to add anything else. That was exactly what her answer would be.
Head shaking was interesting, even more so when it wasn't followed up with an opinion. Sabel nearly called the young girl out on it, asking exactly what it was she disagreed with, when she started nodding. To Rehman's suggestion. That in itself, was answer enough.
SPOILER!!: David
Quote:
Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl
Hmm, what spell COULD you use to ensure that you hit your target? Good question, but Davie's brain wasn't all the way awake yet to come up with an original answer. The obvious answers had already been said, and all he could think of were some type of honing spell? Something that zoned in on your target?
He tilted his head back from his spot on the bench and looked up at all the snitches, clustered up there on the ceiling. Pretty to look at but he still hated their sport.
It was hard to tell whether students were thinking or zoning out, especially when eyes were towards a ceiling that was full of snitches. Perhaps there was some grand thought forming, or perhaps there was some miniscule one. Either way, Sabel let Truebridge have his silence. For the moment.
SPOILER!!: Paulina
Quote:
Originally Posted by Squishy
Class was starting, but Paulina couldn't take her eyes off of one of the snitches as it zoomed around their heads before being sent off by Professor Dakest.
Now she had no choice but to listen to what he had to say.
Paulina wasn't complaining though, because this was pretty interesting stuff. Her answer would have been immobilizing the target, but looked like some of her fellow classmates had beaten her to it. Instead of repeating the answer yet AGAIN, she satisfied herself with nodding. Immobilizing was a good thing.
There was more nodding. A great amount of agreement for the general restrictive spells and immobilizing methods. Interesting, very interesting.
SPOILER!!: Phillip
Quote:
Originally Posted by hermionesclone
No, Phillip did NOT have a problem with Noelle resting her head on his shoulder. It was comfortable, actually, and he was mentally grateful that her head wasn't, you know, HEAVY. BUT, if she DID fall asleep on him, he might have to poke her awake before she made HIM feel sleepier than he was. It just wasn't fair, you know?
Unless they both took naps in the class. He was MORE than okay with some extra naptime.
The first question? Yes, Dakest, we understand EXACTLY what you mean. It was F R U S T R A T I N G when you aimed your spell one way but it decided to do something else entirely. FRUSTRATING. And it had happened during the duel, but to Owen and not him. Owen, who went on to mention a spell HE used against him.
#awkward
Did Phillip have an answer for Dakest? No. His attention was on that one snitch -- THERE WERE SNITCHES UP BY THE CEILING -- that had been flying lower. Look at it GO!
Speaking of daydreamers, Sabel was pretty sure he had one on hand, especially when the kid didn't take to fixing the head resting on his shoulder. No. He was just staring at the snitches. Perhaps he should have brought the devices out later? When they would be less of a distraction. Or was it the head-on-shoulder that was the distraction?
If the kid didn't perk up by the time the lesson moved on, Sabel was settled on sending a small zapping spell his way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fanficfanatict
Chloe understood frustration with magic on a deeply personal, emotional level. Glamour spells were very, very hard and with hair as unmanageable as her own not being able to execute them properly was annoying. She picked at her hair self consciously as the Professor spoke. When he asked the class the first question she was still absorbed in her hair, not because she wasn't paying attention but because it was an anxious tick, and didn't feel confident enough to answer.
She really didn't know the answer. Not at eleven. But she studiously wrote down every answer that her classmates threw out.
At least some of the silent ones were aiming to look busy by moving pen across paper. Whether they were notes, doodles or love letters though, Sabel wasn't sure he really wanted to know.
SPOILER!!: Candice
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poolicious
Question time already? She had an answer for that question. She did. But her brain was working slower than usual, probably because its still half asleep. Why did Dakest liked to have a lesson in early morning anyway? And beside her classmate already said some good answers and someone already mention using Levicorpus. So there's no need to repeat it again, yeah?
And then there were those that looked like they just weren't quite with it yet this morning. Perhaps he should instill laps. Or even better, swimming laps. That would wake them up nice and proper.
Text Cut: Environment Manipulation
SPOILER!!: Benzi
Quote:
Originally Posted by fire_faerie
Benzi was here too, having slipped in behind some other kid and taking his now customary spot in the classroom, the back. Dakest always made sure his voice could be heard and this way Benzi could see everything that was happening in the class. It was good both Prefect-wise, and because he always felt much better when he had a wall behind his back.
Um. Why was Daxton Prince barefoot?
He'd have a chat with him later. Or as much of a chat one could have with a kid who never spoke. Perhaps he could get Suri to do it.
Anyways. The seventeen year old was curious what the get up of the classroom had to do with aim - did he want to make the snitches target practice? because that was going to be hard, even for him - and took his time to answer, thinking and listening first. "Well, naturally I'd aim for the largest surface area the target has... and if I really can't hit the target then I'd change the surrounding environment to make it easier for myself to hit, making it difficult for the target to dodge or move too much," he nodded, thinking back to his practicing and what he usually applied. That was the general goal when he was trying to hit a moving target. Benzi was reluctant to give specific examples mainly because he would be dueling with some of the people in the classroom and he didn't want to give them ideas.
And there were the beginnings of a different train of thought in Rider. Sabel nodded slowly. "A very good point, Mr. Rider. Much easier to manipulate and hit something that isn't moving, than something that is, and use a domino effect. Sometimes, the environment is our most powerful tool and ally."
SPOILER!!: Benny
Quote:
Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline
Oh, class was beginning.
Ben did his best to perk up and pay attention to what was being said as Dakest spoke up and started the discussion. Hmm...moving targets and how to deal with them. It certainly was a predicament to deal with but expected since a dark wizard or dangerous creature wasn't about to stand stock still and just allow you to shoot it with spells to take it down. No they'd be in your face or at least around you...just like the snitch that came down an fluttered by the lot of them.
He absently swatted it away as it got to close to him, mildly distracting him from answering. Though even still, as Benny listened as his classmates responded, he couldn't help but notice something missing. They all appeared to be taking about still hitting targets with spells to remedy the problem. Wasn't that going to be just as problematic.
"How about narrowing the area to which they can go, Professor," he answered after raising his hand. "Work on the environment until they can't readily escape your personal attack." Boxing one into a corner sounded about right.
Ah this. Sabel nearly waggled his finger at the point, but refrained as it would likely appear he was waggling it at the kid. "A good point Mr. Atreyu. Definitely a good way of limiting space and maneuverability. Just be careful that you don't get caught in your own trap."
SPOILER!!: Evie
Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahBOO
It was a good question. One that Evie had though of multiple times as she prepared for dueling club. Many good answers had already been given, but they still held the same problem. The spells they cast would still have to have good aim to hit their target, which was the problem in the first case. As she formed an answer in her head, the snitches flying above their heads were near forgotten in her mind. She was focused completely on dueling club.
"Distractions help," Evie said after raising her hand. "You can use magic to alter the environment or the area around you to cause your opponent to get distracted. People are slower when they're distracted, and thus easier to hit with spells." That was her own personal favorite method of attack, in case Dakest hadn't noticed in her last duel.
This. He liked this. He operated on this. Shacklebolt got a rather strong nod. "A good point. Creating the unexpected can give you a significant upper hand. Be careful though, that you don't create or engineer something which might cost you in the end."
Tables could always be turned.
Text Cut: Unique Ones
SPOILER!!: Hady
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiritWolfe Malfoy
Hady couldn't help but take notice to the fact that most of her peers had chosen to sit on the benches. Not that she could blame them really it was all about where one felt most comfortable. As for her sometimes NOT being comfortable helped out. A little discomfort kept her alert and ready to go.
Tucking her knees to her chest she settled her arms lightly around her legs so she was hugging them and watched Professor Dakest as he moved about. Her eyes followed not only him but the snitch as well which she thought was rather curious given the very first question of the lesson that was just asked. This most likely had something to do with the snitches and what they would be doing today.
"You could always try using Repello, Professor. If anything it might at least give you enough time to get better placement for a more effective spell," she replied as she raised her hand into the air. Even if no harm was done to the target chances were it could in the very least keep whatever the target was away from you until you had better aim at it.
Well there was a new one! A bit of a different take, but still rather valid. Sabel nodded slightly. "It is definitely a good defensive tactic to bide yourself time. Also much easier to aim at yourself, than your opponent."
SPOILER!!: Angel
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry174
Angel raised her hand and smiled at the Professor most the answers she would have given had gone already so now she was just guessing because she wanted to be unique in her answering. "Well there's always the spell that enlarges objects, that way it will be so big that you couldn't miss the target." That was the best thing to do, though saying that if they were fighting back that might not be a good idea, but oh well she had said it now.
Well, this was certainly creative. Perhaps a little unnerving to think of a student creating larger versions of their opponents, still, the point about surface area was valid. He nodded. "Just be careful. You might end up creating a bigger problem than you had started out with."
SPOILER!!: Norah
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sararara
Was he not going to explain all the weird stuff in the classroom? Lame. Norah tucked the curly chunk of hair behind her ear and pulled out her parchment and quill so she could take notes on whatever was going on. Not that she KNEW what was going on because SOMEBODY hadn't taken the time to EXPLAIN. She gave Professor Dakest a questioning look, before putting a hand in the air. Everybody else was saying spells, but who said that spell would hit the target either? Maybe she was just rubbish at aiming, but the other answers weren't making loads to sense to her. Or maybe the question wasn't making sense. Or maybe she was too tired for anything to make sense. Who knew, really. She sure didn't. "This isn't a spell, but if your target is running away or something you could cast your spells where they're going to be in a few steps instead of where they are. Y'know, so by the time the spell is there they haven't gotten past it." THAT would need some good aim too, but maybe Professor Dakest could teach her that part.
Ah now they were getting to it. Slowly but surely. "You'd have to be able to read your opponent well, and have a good understanding of their behavior as well as their intentions, while expecting the unexpected. And, impeccable aim and timing. But it is not out of the realm of plausibility."
SPOILER!!: Adi
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19
Annnd the start of the class!
The Puff turned his attention to the man at the front of the room. Hmmm. Yep, hitting the target was yet something else he had to worry about whenever doing spell work. The snitch buzzed by his boyfriend and then toward Adi who playfully tried to grab it but it zoomed out of his way and then in the direction of the next student.
Onto the question though!
Would you look at that? Benny had stolen his idea! Adi had been eyeing the wall and was about to raise his hand to say something similar but he had been beaten. Get out of his head, Benny! LOL. Um... so could he think of anything else now? Think, think, think! Oh! He knew! Up went Adi's left hand.
"A spell like Avis could be used to conjure birds and then Oppugno could be used to attack target so they'd be too distracted by the attack to do much else. You'd be controlling the birds so I reckon it would be easier to attack a moving target rather than just trying multiple attacks. And once that's done, other spells could be used to defeat said target.'' Did Dakest see where he was going with this?
Almost...they were almost there.
"A good point, Mr. Rehman. Oppugno is a good tracking spell that makes it hard to miss your target, even if it is by use of a creature or object that you are doing your attack."
SPOILER!!: Dot
Quote:
Originally Posted by decapitatERN
No, wait. How was anyone supposed to pay attention when the water was SO pretty and the snitches were glittering and WHAT IF THEY HAD TO FLY? Merlin, that would be nerve-wracking. All the distractions had to be the reason that people were saying the most nonsensical things. Dot inched her way around to stand nearer to the professor so he'd look her way and give her the what-up head nod.
It was sorta like they were friendly when he did that, and she liked to believe she was important to her professors since they were all so important to her.
"The... answers where people want to cast a spell to slow down a target in order to cast a spell don't make much sense, sir. On account of... if I can't hit it with my intended spell, how can I hit it with another spell to make it slow down? That's faulty loopy logic stuffs. I think maybe figuring out where to cast ahead of your goal is helpful. Gotta do some strategic thinking."
What was this? A creeping Wojack-Gusey? She may not have gotten a full head nod, but his eyebrow did do a tribute raise to her antics. Where, were you headed Ms Gusey?
And then, she did get a head nod. Because that question...that logic! Sabel nearly grinned through his serious demeanor, but the head nod would have to do for approval this time around. "A very good point. Very good indeed."
Such a good point by Wojack-Gusey, and one he imagined a few others of the silent manner were thinking, what with their head shaking, that it seemed about high time to get to the rub.
"You've all brought up good points. A number of you mentioned various means of subduing or immobilizing your opponent. These types of spells would certainly make it easier for you to cast later spells. But you do have to hit your target first, which was our original question. How can you be more effective at hitting your target from the get go?"
And because he felt like it, Sabel started walking through the rows of benches.
"Some of you mentioned the use of your environment, which is a stellar way to box your opponent in. The environment rarely moves, and can be a valuable asset. Both in offense and defense. It's important to remember that. A point we will come back to shortly."
He paused at the middle of the classroom, glanced up at the snitches and then started forward to the front again. "A few of you got very close to touching on the topic for today. Oppugno was probably the closest suggestion. A spell that causes things to attack your target for you, it has a sort of honing mechanism incorporated into it. That way your aim doesn't have to be as accurate as your intention."
Stopping at the front of the classroom, Sabel turned about, drawing his wand. "There is another more direct spell, the homing spell. It's incantation is Persequoris, the root which has various meanings including to hunt and to chase." With his wand, he drew a quick line to the side and then a flick forward. "These spells are persistent, they follow your target with a vengeance and speed and are only stopped once they hit the target or an obstacle between it and the target."
Once again, he demonstrated the movement. Line to the side, forward flick. "This is the wand movement, and it can be combined with most any spell that you are wishing to cast, including the immobilizing spells that you suggested. A good combination if you are looking to ensure that any and all spells are effective."
Clear as mud? "I'd like you all to take a moment to practice the movement and incantation, separately if you will. There will be plenty of opportunity to put the spell to use. Also, now is the time for questions."
----------------------------------
OOC: Heya all! Small small small activity. Minimum one post practicing the wand movement and the incantation (if you are googling the incantation, you'll need to look up 'homing spell', as the incantation was made up (there is no known incantation according to wiki).
As always, questions are welcome
I'll again try to move us forward in 24 hours. If not, 48
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I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
Daxton may have looked as though he was not paying attention, his silence and neutral impassive and bored expression usually made sure of that. But there had been very few moments in his life where he had succumbed to zoning out and daydreaming, no matter how bored he got, and it especially never happened in a room full of people. In any case, he was aware he often looked as though he was not paying attention; that meant that people rarely expected him to absorb any information, which meant they underestimated him, which was good.
As it was, right now, Daxton was simply listening and mulling over things, oblivious and uncaring as to whether the professor knew he was concentrating or not. The bowl with the blue light had captured his attention again, and he was watching the rippling reflections on the wall, all the while silently processing all the information about the homing spell. When the time came, Daxton dragged his eyes back to Dakest again and slid his wand out from up his sleeve, ready to 'practice'.
Because it was not really practicing at all. Daxton did not say the incantation aloud, nor did he write it down (he had no doubts he would remember it precisely), and though he mimicked the wand movement of line-and-flick, it was a less than half-hearted attempt. There was little point in practicing, when he would not be casting the spell today. Of course, Daxton would go off and practice it properly on his own eventually, as he did with every spell he had been taught in classs. But right here, right now? It hardly mattered.
So, as he held onto his wand between forefinger and thumb and gently twiddled it up and down, Daxton turned his attention yet again to the bowl over by the new door, staring intently at it whilst keeping his ears tuned in to the other noises about the room.
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
DADA Lesson 2: The Things that Follow 
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